Shirley Baker

SHIRLEY BAKER IDAHO FALLS, ID - Shirley Hornsby Baker died August 8, 2005. Shirley is survived by her children, Mitch (JoLinda) Baker of Fremont, CA, Lynn (David) Trammell of Idaho Falls, and Zane (Sheri) Baker of Dobbins, California, nine grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bennie A. Baker in June, 1994. Born in San Francisco, California, on January 5, 1918, she was adopted as an infant by James and Vera McFaul Hornsby. Raised in Pittsburgh, California, she married Bennie A. Baker in July 1937. For many years Lake Spaulding was home to Shirley and Bennie as they raised their family. They then moved to Montgomery Creek, California, until retiring to Grass Valley, California. Soon afterwards they moved to the Idaho Falls-Rigby area. Shirley enjoyed her family, friends, pets, and the outdoors as well as her gardens, and playing the piano. She was interested in conservation and animal welfare issues. During her lifetime she became an expert at growing various cacti and irises. Later in life she loved her job as a docent at the Tautphaus Park Zoo. She attended church and expressed her concern for others through her volunteer work at the St. Marks soup kitchen and as a respite care giver. The last eight years of her life, Shirley lived with her daughter and son-in-law until entering an assisted living facility a few months ago. Shirley was loved by her family and will be missed.